Published
Reading time: 1min – video: 2min
In the Middle East, specifically in the Strait of Hormuz, everyone wants to show their dominance. On one side, Washington talks about taking control back; on the other, Tehran showcases ship seizures and wants to prove it can still disrupt maritime traffic. There is also a battle happening at sea around demining.
This text is part of the above report’s transcription. Click on the video to watch it in full.
On one side, on Thursday, April 23, Americans board an oil tanker using a helicopter. The scene is meant to be spectacular. On the other side, Iranians arrive by boat to also take control of another vessel. The video is accompanied by action movie music. The opposing parties, in full operation, through communications, both claim to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Among other tactics, Iranians use their fleets of small boats, the famous “mosquitoes.” They have control over the narrowest part of the strait. Iranians claim to enforce a passage fee. Americans are outside of the strait. A third aircraft carrier is joining the two others already present, of Americans outside the strait. They boarded the Majestic X oil tanker on Thursday, April 23, very far off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Ultimately, the United States do not have complete control. “It is rather the Iranians who control the strait because they are the ones implementing coercive measures to filter traffic. In other words, it is really them who say: ‘if we don’t authorize you to pass, we will shoot at you,'” states Sylvain Domergue, a geopolitician and specialist in naval issues.
In this maritime show of force, Donald Trump raises the stakes this Thursday: “I have ordered the US Navy to shoot and kill all boats, no matter how small, that are laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.” Trump also claims that Americans have started demining work in the strait. They are doing it remotely. The technology allows for it.
